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Year's first West Nile activity found in Kane County

A batch of mosquitoes collected near Algonquin has tested positive for the West Nile virus, making it the first evidence of the disease in Kane County this year, the Kane County Health Department announced Tuesday.

The mosquitoes were collected in a trap administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The health department also is collecting dead birds to be sent to the state lab for testing. Call 630-444-3040 to report the presence of freshly dead birds, such as crows or blue jays, to determine whether West Nile virus testing is recommended. The birds must not show any signs of decay or trauma.

The first evidence of West Nile is usually seen in July or August. Seventeen other Illinois counties have seen birds or mosquitoes test positive so far this year, according to a news release.

Last year, Kane County had 13 human cases of the illness, the release states.